Advanced

Communication
Skills
Unit 4
Argumentative
writing
 Similar kinds of writing – what's the
difference between the three?

Argumentative
Expositive Writing Persuasive writing Exploratory writing
writing
 Persuasive vs argumentative
When introducing
argumentative writing to
students, describe it as a debate
on paper—with both sides
represented by facts, evidence,
and relevant support. It’s
Within persuasive writing, the similar to the closing
author presents one side of a Argumentative writing is not
topic or issue. There is little to about winning to “get” arguments in a court
no acknowledgment of the something, but rather giving case. Students have to
opposition. That’s one of the the reader another perspective perform a similar role in their
biggest differences between the to consider on a debatable writing; they have to be both
persuasive and other kinds of topic. the prosecutor and the defense
writing attorney. They have to roll out
the key facts of the case, the
issue, for both sides. Although
they are definitely more for one
side, their writing has to
include valid points from the
other side.
Understanding
To introduce argumentative writing is to reveal two essays on
argumentative the same topic–one that’s written persuasively and one that’s
writing written argumentatively.

Before writing arguments with two sides represented -

Read both essays and highlight every sentence as either a claim
helping the writer’s argument or a valid counterclaim from the
opposition

Students will quickly see that argumentative writing is more

balanced and offers facts on both sides, whereas persuasive is all
me and what I want.

Studying a persuasive and argumentative piece on the same

topic helps see the subtle, but significant differences between
them.
 A persuasive (opinion) essay, you can
TEACHING select the most favorable evidence, appeal
to emotions, and use style to persuade
ARGUMENT your readers. Your single purpose is to be
WRITING BY convincing.” (Actually, there Hillocks, p.
GORGE xvii, is quoting Kinneavy & Weaver, 1993.)
HILLOCKS
“Argument, on the other hand, is mainly
about logical appeals and involves claims,
evidence, warrants, backing and
rebuttals…Argument is at the heart of critical
thinking and academic discourse…” (Hillocks,
2011)
 Persuasive vs
argumentative
 Persuasive vs
argumentative
EXpository
essay
Expository essay Expository essays are
vs Expository essays
involve less research
often used for in-class
writing exercises or
argumentative and are shorter in tests, such as the GED
length.
Essay or GRE.

(they are very

similar)
The argumentative
essay is commonly
Argumentative essay assigned as a capstone
involves has a fair or final project in first
amount of pre-writing year writing or
(invention) and advanced composition
research involved. courses and involves
lengthy, detailed
research.
What does ArgumenTativE essay involve?

c....., g...... and ….....a position in a

…..........a topic
e....... evidence on the topic c.......manner
 What does an argumentative essay
involve?

Collect,
Establish a
generate in a
Investigate position
and concise
a topic on the
evaluate manner
topic
evidence
 Empirical research may be carried out where
students collect data through

I…........

Research E ….........
through
S….........

O….......
 Empirical research may be carried out
where students collect data through

Interviews

Experiments

Surveys.

Research Observations
through
 Extensive research of literature or previously published
material.

Argumentative assignments may also require empirical

research where the student collects data through
interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments.

Detailed research allows the student to learn about the

topic and to understand different points of view regarding
the topic so that she/he may choose a position and
support it with the evidence collected during research.
The essay
should Regardless of the amount or type of research involved,
argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and
follow sound reasoning.
have
The structure
of the
argumentative
essay
 A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that
occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the

introduction, body, and conclusion.

Structure Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

has 5
components Evidential support (whether factual, logical,
statistical, or anecdotal).

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis,

but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
 In the first paragraph of an argument
essay, students should set the context by
reviewing the topic in a general way.
Next the author should explain why the
topic is important (exigence) or why
A clear, concise, readers should care about the issue.
and defined
thesis statement Lastly, students should present the thesis
that occurs in statement.
the It is essential that this thesis statement be
first paragraph
appropriately narrowed to follow the
of the essay.
guidelines set forth in the assignment.
This is a very important part of writing the
essay.
 Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of
the essay together.

clear and logical Without logical progression of thought, the reader is

transitions between unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure
the introduction, will collapse
body, and
conclusion.

Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous

section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the
next section.
 Body paragraphs that include
evidential support

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea.

This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay.

In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience.

It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statemen t in
the opening paragraph.

Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research.

It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis (warrant).
 VOICING CONFLICTING OPINIONS

01 02 03
However, argumentative Depending on the length of Rather than explaining how
essays should also consider the assignment, students these differing opinions are
and explain differing points should dedicate one or two wrong outright, students
of view regarding the topic. paragraphs of an should note how opinions
argumentative essay to that do not align with their
discussing conflicting thesis might not be well
opinions on the topic. informed or how they might
be out of date
 The argumentative essay
requires well-researched, Some factual, logical, statistical,
accurate, detailed, and current or anecdotal evidence should
Evidential information to support the
thesis statement and consider support the thesis.

support other points of view.

(whether
factual,
logical, A successful and well-rounded
However, students must
statistical, consider multiple points of view argumentative essay will also
discuss opinions not aligning
when collecting evidence.
or with the thesis.

anecdotal)
.
It is not the student’s job to
It is unethical to exclude point out how other positions
evidence that may not support are wrong outright, but rather
to explain how other positions
the thesis. may not be well informed or up
to date on the topic.
 A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in
light of the evidence provided.

This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on
the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical.

Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the
information presented in the body of the essay.

Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your
thesis.

You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be
completed in light of your work.
 COMPLETENESS OF THE ARGUMENT

01 02 03
Think of it as a the argumentative No room for any
conversation or essay must be doubt as to its
debate with a complete, and intent or argument.
classmate logically
 THE FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY –
a COMMON METHOD OF WRITING THE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

01 02 03
(A)The method (B) three evidentiary (C)Conclusion
consists of an body paragraphs that
introductory may include
paragraph discussion of
opposing views
 Longer
argumentative
essay
 LONG ESSAYS

Authors may have to discuss

Argumentative essays the context surrounding the
Complex issues and detailed discussing a number of topic, sources of information
research call for complex and research sources or empirical and their credibility, as well as
detailed essays. research will be longer than a number of different opinions
five paragraphs. on the issue before concluding
the essay.
 • The content of the slides were taken from
the following websites

• https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ
ing/academic_writing/essay_writing/argu
Source mentative_essays.html#:~:text=What%20
is%20an%20argumentative%20essay,topi
c%20in%20a%20concise%20manner.
• https://www.smekenseducation.com/argu
mentative-v-persuasive-writ0/